It seems not long ago that doomsayers were predicting the downfall of the NFL as ratings slumped amid tepid games, leading some to blame political discourse for driving viewers away.

All it took last season was a dash of Patrick Mahomes, a sprinkle of the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints, and the league-villain New England Patriots keeping pace to get football fans back on the couch.

Remember the floundering ratings and alleged demise of the NFL? That seems a long time ago. (Reuters)

The nightcap between the the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos did 10 percent better than last season’s tilt between the Raiders and Rams, garnering a 7.7 overnight rating.

Granted, it helps to not feature the Jets and Lions to open the season, but the combined ratings for both games were the best Week 1 “MNF” ratings since 2015, according to ESPN.

Saints fans not that mad

It turns out that the anger engulfing Saints fans over last season’s NFC championship debacle hasn’t diminished their interest in the game. The Saints’ 30-28 win over the Texans garnered a whopping 56.8 rating in New Orleans, compared to 25.9 in Houston.

Good football means more viewers

It all adds up to a ratings win for the NFL, as fans appear as hungry as ever for the game.

The lesson here is simple, as the Saints-Texans drama indicates. Compelling drama keeps butts in seats.

As long as the games are good, nothing appears to stand in the way of the NFL ratings powerhouse. If we get more duds like Thursday’s 10-3 Packers win over the Bears, then the NFL might start to see a problem again.